The Education Exchange

Ian V. Rowe, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Rowe's latest research, which investigates the role of family culture in student achievement. "Family Structure, a Key Factor Hidden in Plain Sight: The Case for Federal Reporting in Education," co-written with Brad Wilcox and Grant Bailey, is available now at AEI. https://www.aei.org/research-products/report/family-structure-a-key-factor-hidden-in-plain-sight-the-case-for-federal-reporting-in-education/

Michael Hartney, the Bruni Family Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution and an associate professor of political science at Boston College, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss how the Democratic Party has embraced teachers unions, and how that could impact education reform moving forward.

Dixie Lane joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Lane's new book,"Skipping School: A History of American Homeschooling and How It Went Mainstream."

Geoffrey Kocks, a research associate at Blueprint Labs and PhD student at MIT, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Kocks' recent report, "Two Decades of Massachusetts Charter School Effects." https://blueprintlabs.mit.edu/research/two-decades-of-massachusetts-charter-school-effects/

Michelle Rhee, a a Venture Partner at Equal Opportunity Ventures and the former chancellor of Washington, D.C., Public Schools, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the future of Washington schools under presumptive mayor Janeese Lewis George.

R. Shep Melnick, the Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Professor of American Politics at Boston College, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the Supreme Court's recent ruling, which allows states to restrict athletes’ participation in school and collegiate sports based on their biological sex.

Paul Carrese, the Director of the Center for American Civics and Professor at Arizona State University, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Carrese's new book, Teaching America: Reflective Patriotism in Schools, College, and Culture.

Lamar Alexander, the former United States Senator and Governor of Tennessee, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Alexander's new book, "The Education of a Senator: From JFK to Trump."

Martin R. West, the editor-in-chief of Education Next, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the recent release of the National Assessment of Educational Progress Long-Term Trends.

Jacob D. Light, a Hoover Fellow at the Hoover Institution, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Light's latest research, which looks into how artificial intelligence is gaining a foothold in higher education.

David Figlio, the Gordon Fyfe Professor of Economics and Education at the University of Rochester, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Figlio's recent article in Education Next, "Can Banning Cellphones Save Student Learning? Evidence from Florida, home of the first statewide mandate," co-written with Umut Özek. https://www.educationnext.org/can-banning-cellphones-save-student-learning-evidence-florida-mandate/

Michael Henderson, associate professor at Louisiana State University, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Henderson's paper, “Blowback or Buy-In: Public Opinion in Response to Charter School Penetration,” which was presented at “School Choice: Impacts on Participants, Non-Participants, Educators, and Entrepreneurs,” a conference hosted by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Program on Education Policy and Governance on May 7 and 8, 2026.

Patrick J. Wolf, a Distinguished Professor of Education Policy at the University of Arkansas, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Wolf's paper, "The Nation’s Achievement Inequality Report Card: An Assessment of Interquartile Test Score Gaps and Equality Trends in Traditional Public, Charter, Catholic, and Department of Defense Schools," which was presented at “School Choice: Impacts on Participants, Non-Participants, Educators, and Entrepreneurs,” a conference hosted by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Program on Education Policy and Governance on May 7 and 8, 2026.

Ben Scafidi, a Professor and Director of Education Economics Center at Kennesaw State University, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss his paper, “Enrollment, Fiscal, and Resource Changes in American Public School Districts, 1998 to 2019,” which was presented at “School Choice: Impacts on Participants, Non-Participants, Educators, and Entrepreneurs,” a conference hosted by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Program on Education Policy and Governance on May 7 and 8, 2026.

Patrick Graff, a Senior Fellow with the American Federation for Children, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Graff's paper, "Declining Public School Enrollment and the Rise of Universal Private School Choice Programs," which was presented at "School Choice: Impacts on Participants, Non-Participants, Educators, and Entrepreneurs," a conference hosted by the Harvard Kennedy School's Program on Education Policy and Governance on May 7 and 8, 2026.

John Moscatiello, founder of Marco Learning, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Advanced Placement exams and how they've transformed through the past three years.

Carlos Carvalho, the president of the University of Austin, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the institution's mission to bring back free inquiry to higher education.

Amber Northern, a senior advisor to the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss her efforts on reforming the Institute of Education Science. The full report, "Reimagining the Institute of Education Sciences: A Strategy for Relevance and Renewal," is available now. https://ies.ed.gov/ies/2026/02/reimagining-ies

Jon Shields, a professor of American politics in the government department at Claremont McKenna College, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Shields' latest research, which uses the Open Syllabus database to see how contentious issues are being taught on college campuses.

Paola Sapienza, the J-P Conte Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss how political opinions are represented on college campuses, with more students closer to the center than not.

Richard D. Kahlenberg, Director of the American Identity Project at the Progressive Policy Institute, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Kahlenberg's new report, which investigates how American Quarterly has covered American studies and history in the wake of President Donald Trump's one-sided treatment. "The Distortion of American Studies: How the Field’s Leading Journal Has Embraced a Worldview as Slanted as Donald Trump’s," co-written with Lief Lin, is available now at Progressive Policy Institute. https://www.progressivepolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PPI_The-Distortion-of-American-Studies.pdf

Jeff Denning, an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin LBJ School of Public Affairs and Department of Educational Leadership and Policy, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Denning's latest research, "Easy A’s, Less Pay: The Long-Term Effects of Grade Inflation," co-written with Rachel Nesbit, Nolan Pope, and Merrill Warnick.

Julie Young, the former Vice President of Education Outreach and Student Services for Arizona State University, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss her upcoming book, Say Yes: How Virtual Became Reality.

John Schilling, representing the 50 State Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Coalition and Defense of Freedom Institute, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss new Federal scholarship tax credit program, and how states are preparing for its launch in 2027.

John Singleton, an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Rochester, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Singleton's latest research, which uses large-language AI models to determine the viewpoints and priorities  of school board members in California. "Identity and Ideology in the School Boardroom," co-written with Barbara Biasi, Minseon Park, and Seth D. Zimmerman, is available now at NBER.org.

Marlon Marshall, the Chief Executive Officer of City Fund, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss how City Fund and Bloomberg Philanthropies are committing $20 million to create new charter schools in connection with Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

M. Danish Shakeel, a Professor and the director of the E. G. West Centre for Education Policy at The University of Buckingham, UK, joins Paul E. Peterson to Shakeel's latest research, which investigates achievement and inequality trends in the United States between 2005 and 2024. "The Nation’s Achievement Inequality Report Card: An Assessment of Test Score and Equality Trends in Traditional Public, Charter, Catholic, and Department of Defense Schools," co-written with Misty Gallo and Patrick J. Wolf, is available now. https://edworkingpapers.com/sites/default/files/ai26-1378.pdf

Emily Putnam-Hornstein, the John A. Tate Distinguished Professor for Children in Need at the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss how funds are distributed to foster children in the United States. "No, States Aren’t “Stealing” from Foster Children," co-written with Naomi Schaefer Riley, is available now at AEI. https://www.aei.org/op-eds/no-states-arent-stealing-from-foster-children/

Vladimir Kogan, a Professor in the Department of Political Science at Ohio State University, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss how voters handle school choice at the ballot box in the United States. "Voters Reject Vouchers—Again! What the defeat of private school choice measures in three states signals for the movement," co-written with Parker Baxter and Michael Hartney, is available now at Education Next. https://www.educationnext.org/voters-reject-vouchers-again-defeat-private-school-choice-measures/

Aaron Garth Smith, the Director of Education Reform at the Reason Foundation, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Reason's latest report, which details how education funds were spent in 2025. "K-12 Education Spending Spotlight 2025: Annual public school spending nears $1 trillion," co-written with Jordan Campbell, is available now at Reason.org.

Daion L. Daniels, Director of Research for the Indiana Department of Education, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the Arkansas Education Freedom Accounts Program, which documents how many students took advantage of the Arkansas choice program, and its results in student achievement. The 2024-25 Arkansas Education Freedom Accounts Program Annual Report, co-written with Alison Heape Johnson, Joshua B. McGee, and Patrick J. Wolf, is available now. https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Files/2024-25_Arkansas_Education_Freedom_Accounts_Program_Annual_Report_100125_OSCPE.pdf

Martin R. West, the editor-in-chief of Education Next, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the new Massachusetts state high school graduation framework, which will replace the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam.

Joshua Goodman, an associate professor of education and of economics at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Goodman's latest research, which looks into how the job market can impact college enrollment in two-year institutions. "Labor Market Strength and Declining Community College Enrollment," co-written with Joseph Winkelmann, is available now at NBER. https://www.nber.org/papers/w34498

Derrell Bradford, the president of 50CAN, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the state of charter schools in 2025, and where the sector can go as more school choice options become available for families.

An adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins School of Education and the former superintendent of Seattle Public Schools, Joseph Olchefske, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss weighted student funding, and how it can best be implemented to increase student achievement.

Rocco E. Testani, the co-leader of the Eversheds Sutherland Business and Commercial Litigation team, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the history of the U.S. Department of Education, its impact on student achievement and President Trump's efforts to shut the department down.

Thiru Vignarajah, the former Deputy Attorney General of Maryland and the former Law Clerk to Justice Stephen Breyer, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the implications for dismantling or abolishing the U.S. Department of Education.

Vladimir Kogan, a Professor in the Department of Political Science at Ohio State University, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Kogan's new book, "No Adult Left Behind: How Politics Hijacks Education Policy and Hurts Kids"

Joseph P. Viteritti, the Thomas Hunter Professor of Public Policy at Hunter College in New York, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Viteritti's new book, Radical Dreamers: Race, Choice, and the Failure of American Education.

Clint Bolick, the 44th Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss how the Supreme Court has shifted its stance on school choice and religious freedom in education in the United States over the years.

Matt Sigelman, the President of the Burning Glass Institute, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss online courses and certificates, and how many are not delivering the skills employers need. Sigelman's report, "Holding New Credentials Accountable for Outcomes: We Need Evidence-Based Funding Models," co-written with Mark Schneider, Shrinidhi Rao, Scott Spitze, and Debbie Wasden, is available now. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6197797102be715f55c0e0a1/t/684c1077d4373f18701f76ee/1749815416101/Holding+New+Credentials+Accountable+For+Outcomes.pdf

Patrick J. Wolf, a professor of Education Policy at the University of Arkansas, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Wolf’s new research, which investigates the effect of education savings accounts in the state of Arkansas. "2024-25 Arkansas Education Freedom Accounts Program Annual Report," co-written with Daion L. Daniels, Alison Heape Johnson and Joshua B. McGee, is available now. https://scdp.uark.edu/2024-25-arkansas-education-freedom-accounts-program-annual-report/

Robert Henderson, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the growing political divide between men and women in the United States. Henderson's article, "The book that showed me manhood has to be created," is available now at The Boston Globe.

Alberto Carvalho, Superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District., joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss how the district has worked to turn around lower performing schools.

Martin R. West, the editor-in-chief of Education Next and member of the National Assessment Governing Board, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the latest release of National Assessment of Educational Progress data.

Heather Mac Donald, the Thomas W. Smith Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Mac Donald's recent article, which is critical of the changes the Trump Administration has made with the National Science Foundation. Mac Donald's article, "Trump Takes on Big Science," is available now from City Journal. https://www.city-journal.org/article/trump-national-science-foundation-education-grant-funding

Ilya Marritz, an independent journalist, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Marritz's recent reporting on the relationship between Alan Garber, the president of Harvard University, and Jay Bhattacharya, who is currently the director of the National Institutes of Health. Marritz's article, "Alan Garber's former student now holds the keys to Harvard's future," is available now from The Boston Globe. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/11/metro/alan-garbers-former-student-now-holds-keys-harvards-future/

Scott R. Levy, an Adjunct Lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Levy's new book, Why School Boards Matter: Reclaiming the Heart of American Education and Democracy.

Brian Stephens, the CEO of Caissa K12, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss how public schools can make themselves more appealing to students and parents as vouchers and tax credits becomes more popular across the country.

Paul Carrese, a Professor in the School of Civic & Economic Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Columbia University's recent $200 million settlement with the Trump administration.